This is a video library for my clients and anyone in need of seeing weight training exercises in action. Most of these link to my Instagram page, @fitgalmindy, where I’ve collected them in the gym over time. Please use them at your own discretion. I ask two things of you if you use my videos […]
Chasing the Calorie Burn!
We need to quit chasing a high-cardio calorie burn and focus on being active instead. Here’s why: —– Cardio time! I truly enjoy being active and my body loves to move, but I only use cardio strategically about eight to ten weeks before a show. Otherwise I weight train consistently year round and stay really […]
Cardio: How much is enough or too much?
Good question! Here is a post I made this week on social media. It describes where I am personally with cardio as of early September 2016, why I don’t do much year round, and how to use it to work FOR you and not against you. Then read below for a few more tips about […]
Traveling? Need a Change? Try this Circuit!
Written on July 3, 2016 while at the NPC Chicago “Wings of Strength” show: —– I did a circuit before my cardio today, still at the hotel in their closet-sized gym. I designed this to be a peripheral training, alternating upper and lower body, which is super effective for getting the most from the body. […]
Summer Ideas: Can’t hit the gym or traveling? Use the park!
Parts of this post were originally written in the summer of 2013. As the warm weather is upon us, people are traveling, and more of us are outdoors, there are great opportunities to be active in your own backyard, at the sports field, or at a park. Use your bodyweight (which is resistance) to put some […]
Weightlifting 101: How to get started lifting weights!
-Mindy Irish BS Physical Education; NASM CPT, YES; NPC Bikini Bodybuilder I started lifting weights in 2011 after I was reluctantly pulled into a strength training class by my friend Shannon. I had been doing five cardio classes a week and it took the baby weight off after the birth of my fourth child in […]
Fit Gal’s Weekly Favorite Exercise: Incline Treadmill
When I do my cardio, one of my favorite methods is the incline treadmill, no hands! I’ve been on the treadmill in a HIIT (high intensity interval training) or steady-state format. After a few minutes of warm-up, I like to pitch the incline as high as it will go and in this case it is […]
Fit Gal’s Weekly Favorite Exercise: Cable Back Rows
This week’s favorite exercise is the cable back rows. I keep a slight bend in my knees and that helps me know how far back to sit on the bench. The key to this exercise is to keep your back in an upright position the entire time. Many times I see people leaning forward and […]
Fit Gal’s Weekly Favorite Exercise: 1-Arm DB Up Rows!
This week’s exercise gets me every time. I’ve learned to go SUPER heavy on these and really focus on hitting that front delt. I hold a DB (dumbbell) in each hand and make sure to keep my spine straight up and in alignment. The reason I hold a DB in the other hand is to […]
Fit Gal’s Weekly Favorite Exercise: Standing Calf Raises
Each Saturday I feature my favorite exercise of the week. This week I chose Standing Calf Raises. This is done at the end of my 2nd leg day of the week. I do 5 sets of 15 reps on the Smith Machine. You can also stand off the edge of any other platform machine and […]